Folding coop.



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I APPLICATION L .12, 1914 MQQ@ Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

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1. A. REEDER.

FOLDING COOP.

APPLICATION HLED Aue. l2. 1914.

Patented. Apu-20, 1915.

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Attorneys :Ht MORRIS PETERS C0.. PHOTD-LITHU.. WASHINGTON. D. l:A

JAMES A. REEDER, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

FOLDING COOP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

Application filed August 12, 1914. Serial No. 856,429.

' T0 all whom t may concern:

the coop may be opened and set up, without the use of tools.

The invention aims to improve the end walls of the coop and to provide end Walls which, when folded beneath the bottom, cooperate in a novel manner with sundry other elements of the structure.

lt is within the scope of the invention to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1n the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows in perspective, a collapsible or folding coop embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the coop; Fig. 3 is a fragmental side elevation showing one of the end walls of the coop folded beneath the bottom of the coop; Fig. 4. is a bottom plan showing one of the end walls folded beneath and against the bottom of the coop, Fig. 4 being fragmentary in its disclosure; Fig. 5 is a fragmental bottom plan of the coop showing one of the end walls in the position which the same is made to assume in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is an end view of the coop, the structure being collapsed; Fig. 7 is a perspective depicting one of the connecting bars which enter into the construction of the end walls of the coop.

The bottom of the coop comprises longitudinal bars 1 and bottom slats 2 disposed transversely of the longitudinal bars and secured thereto, the bottom slats being spaced from each other. Located between the longitudinal bars 1 and secured to the bottom slats 2 is a platform 3. The sides of the coop are made up of slats 4 disposed in alternating relation to the bottom slats 2, the side slats 4 being spaced from each other. Pivot rods 5 extend through the ends of the bottom slats 2 and through the ends of the side slats 4. The top of the coop is made up of slats 6 spaced apart and alternating with the side slats 4. Through the upper ends of the side slats 4 and through the extremities of the top slats 6 extend pivot rods 7. The bottom, the top and the side walls of the coop, therefore, are con nected in such a manner that the coop may be collapsed or flattened down as shown in Fig. 6. Secured to the upper face of the top slats 6 are longitudinal bars 8. Certain of the top slats 6 terminate atthe longitudinal bars 8 to define an opening in the top of the coop. The opening thus formed is closed by a lid comprising side bars 9 and slats 10 connecting the side bars. rJlhe side bars 9 lie between the bars 8. A pivot rod 11 is terminally mounted in the bars 8 and passes through the side bars 9 of the lid to form a hinged mounting therefor. Mounted upon one of the top slats 6 is a latch 12 of any desired construction, adapted to coact with the lid to hold the same closed.

The ends of the coop are composed of connecting bars 14 and slats 15 uniting the connecting bars. The connecting bars 14 lie outside of the longitudinal bottom bars 1. Through the ends of the longitudinalbottom barsl l and through the ends of the connecting bars 14 extend pivot rods 16 affording a hinged mounting for the ends of the coop. ln order to hold the ends of the coop in the closed positions shown in Fig. 1, latches 19 of any desired sort are secured to certain of the top slats 6 and engage the end walls, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. When the ends are in the closed positions shown in Fig. 1, the connecting bars 14 lie between and in contact with the terminal side slats 4 and thus the coop is prevented from collapsing from the form shown in Fig l to the form shown in Fig. 6. ln order to collapse the coop, the ends are swung downwardly and inwardly until they lie beneath the bottom, the connecting bars 14 lying against the bottom slats 2 upon the outside of the longitudinal bars 1 as shown best in Fig. 4. In order to hold the end walls folded beneath the bottom, buttons 17 are pivoted t0 the longitudinal bottom bars 1 intermediate the ends thereof. When, as shown in Fig. 4, the buttons 17 are turned to stand transversely of the bars 1, the buttons engage withthe ends of the connecting bars 14 of both end walls at once and thus hold the end walls in place.

rllhe lower ends of the sidev slats 4 project downwardly below the-bottom slatsQ, in or der that suflicient material may be interposed between the -pivot rods 5 and the lower end faces of the slats 4, to prevent breaking. The connecting bars 14 of the end walls are provided in their edgeswith recesses 18. Whenitheend walls are folded beneath the bottom, as shown in Fig. 4, these recesses 18 receive the proj ectingl lower ends ofthey side slats4when the coop is collapsedvvas shown in Fig. 6, and permitthe collapsing to take place. The Vvconnecting bars should .lie outside of the .longitudinal bars 1 in order that'there may be no openings in the coop'adjacent the termina-l portions of the end walls. This 'necessitates that the connecting bars 14 be located close to the lowerends of-theside slats 4. It is not feasible .to diminish the width of the bars 14 in order topermit the lower ends ofthe side slats 4 to clearthe bars, because if suchV an expedient were resortedto, openings would eXist'between the outer edges of the bars 14 andthe inneredges of the terminal side slats 4, reference being had to Fig. 1. The utility and the function of the recesses 18, therefore, will be obvious.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a bottom comprising cross slats and longitudinal bars; ends comprising cross slats and connecting bars, the connecting bars being pivoted to the longitudinal bars of the bottom and being adapted to lie alongside of the longitudinal bars when the ends are folded under the bottom; movable locking means on one longitudinal bar and adapted to y.engage with certain of the connecting bars of both ends when the ends are folded underthe bottom; sides pivoted to the bottom; and a top pivoted to the sides.

2. In a device of the class described, a top; side slatspivoted to the top; a bottom comprising slats pivoted to the side slats and alternating therewith; ends comprising connecting bars pivoted to the bottom, theends being adapted to fold beneath the bottom and to rest upon the bottom, the connecting bars of the ends being provided with transverse recesses adapted to receive the extremities of the side slats when the side slats are swung laterally to collapse the top with respect to the bottoni.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiiixed my signature inthe presence of two witnesses.

JAMES A. REEDER.

Witnesses A. C. NALLs, C. G. HILL.

Copies ofthis patentmay-bc` obtained for five cents each, lby addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washingtom D. C. 

